Archaeology Unit 8 Lesson 1-5

Superfund site

A designated toxic area. They might be required to wear Hazmat suits or use special cleaning substances.

Stewardship

An ethical obligation to share their findings with the public.

Cultural resources

Any material remains of past life which are of archaeological interest.

Metal detectors

Can locate many types of metals underneath the surface.

Cultural resource management (CRM)

Concerned with investigating sites to determine if they are of archaeological interest and to protect and examine known historic sites. Decision makers. 1. Test dig. 2. Full scale excavation. Responsible for properly managing all the cultural resources their site holds. Also determine if a building, structure, or physical area is eligible to become listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA)

Defined cultural resources. Lists a few dozen examples such as pottery, weapons, and tools as well as graves and structures. This act also set much stiffer penalties for looters and those illegally buying and selling antiquities. The fine for a first-time offender went from $500 to up to $20,000; jail time was increased for offenders as well.

Electrical resistivity

Electrical currents sent through the soil are used to find buried objects by monitoring changes in conductivity levels.

Public archaeology

Everything that is associated with or connected to society as a whole. The sharing of archaeological information with the public.

National Register of Historic Places

Has specific guidelines in which to make a recommendation. The area or building might be associated with a specific time period or a person of historical importance. Once they are placed on this register they are protected from loss and destruction. In the case of a historic district the entire area is protected.

The Red List

Lists the archaeological sites with the most devastating damage. Often the countries whose sites make this list sell artifacts they find for very little money.

Reconstruction

Making a replica, or copy, of a site as it once was using modern materials to make it whole. Sir Arthur Evans, who supervised the restoration of the Palace of Knossos, has been criticized because in his attempt to restore the palace to what it once was, he damaged many of the original remains.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)

Radar pulses are sent into the ground and locate any abnormalities that indicate something large is buried underneath.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1993

Required all human remains be inventoried if they had been part of an expedition funded with public money. Native Americans were then given the lists and allowed to take back any bones or funerary objects, such as those displayed in the above picture, and rebury them with dignity.

Antiquities Act of 1906

The very first law in the United States was created during President Roosevelt's administration. Was developed to protect archaeological sites located on public land. Private collectors called "pothunters" had become a significant problem, and this act helped to keep them from stripping these private lands of their artifacts. Devils Tower in Wyoming, pictured left, became the first designated ancient monument under this act because of its cultural significance to Native American tribes in the area.

dvisory Council on Historic Preservation

This council is in place to advise the President and Congress on issues regarding historical preservation. Each state also has its own historic preservation officers.

Restoration

To return a site to its original condition. The artifacts are cleaned, repaired, and put back where they were believed to have once been.

Proton magnetometry and fluxgate gradiometry

Use changes in the earth's magnetic field to locate possible artifacts.

Stakeholders

anyone that may be affected by the dig.